Common To Portray Bi-Racial Former Slave In New TV Series

After appearing in roles in the Steve Carrell/Tina Fey comedy Date Night and starring opposite Queen Latifah in Just Wright, Common is looking to transition from movie roles to television.

The rapper, who is probably making way more loot from these acting roles than for his albums, has been cast in the upcoming AMC network’s television western series “Hell On Wheels.” Common will portray Elam, a freed half-white, half-black slave in the show which centers around the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.

“Common brings a layered intensity to a very complex role,” said Joel Stillerman, AMC’s VP of programming. “This part required someone who can transcend the stereotypes of the period and bring the character to life in a truly unique way, and he brings that.”